NATICK – As Rick and Dick Hoyt passed through Natick for the final time during the Boston Marathon, the pair spotted the familiar face of Norma Shulman and embraced the longtime fan.

Shulman, who has attended every Boston Marathon the Hoyts have run to support the father-son racing team, and members of Team Hoyt shouted "Yes you can," the pair’s motto, as the Hoyts approached the intersection of Rte. 135 and Mill Street where Shulman and her signs of encouragement for the Hoyts awaited.

Dick Hoyt took a moment to hug Shulman and several other supporters before continuing the trek toward the finish line for the final time.

"It was great," said Shulman. "We never miss one."

Rick, 52, was born with cerebral palsy and is a spastic quadriplegic. At his son’s suggestion, Dick, 73, began pushing Rick in a special wheelchair during races. The pair completed the Marathon for the 32nd time Monday.

Shulman called the Hoyts an inspiration.

"They’ve created a whole movement," she said.

A member of Team Hoyt, Megan Petratis, of Washington D.C., called her moment of embrace with Dick Hoyt "phenomenal."

"It’s so inspiring," said Petratis, who had not heard of the Hoyts until the events of last year's Marathon. "Stopping and getting to say great job is a surreal moment."

In Natick Center, Paul Roe, who served in the military with Dick Hoyt, said he goes to the Marathon every year, but especially wanted to be there for the Hoyts’ last time participating.

"It just won’t be the same without them," said Roe, who lives in Brockton.

Brian Benson contributed to this report. Jeff Malachowski can be reached at 508-490-7466 or jmalachowski@wickedlocal.com . Follow him on Twitter @JmalachowskiMW.